Automatic molding apparatus for producing ring-shaped doughnuts containing fillings

ABSTRACT

An automatic molding apparatus for producing ring-shaped doughnuts with one or more kinds of filling contained therein in annular form, wherein uncooked dough and filling are separately stored in coaxially arranged hoppers, each of which has an inlet opened at the upper end to allow the raw material to be easily charged at a desired time under atmospheric pressure without stopping the apparatus; the dough is squeezed out at predetermined intervals from an annular opening defined between two cylindrical outlet pipes; the filling such as cream or jam is drawn out, also at predetermined intervals, from an annular opening positioned within the hole of the preliminarily formed dough so as to be completely wrapped in the dough; the mixed mass being taken out of the apparatus to be subjected to frying or other means of cooking in the succeeding process.

I United States Patent 1 3,653,336 Kaneko et al. 1 Apr. 4, 1972 [54]AUTOMATIC MOLDING APPARATUS 2,779,298 1/1957 Chwirut et al ..107/14 EFOR PRODUCING RING-SHAPED 3,499,396 3/1970 Kaufman et al. ..l07/l4 EDOUGHNUTS CONTAINING FILLINGS I Primary Examiner-Jordan F ranklin [72]Inventors: Ryutano Kaneko; Yoshio Kaneko, both of AssistantExaminer-Geo. V Larkin l-8, Sannon-cho, Minami-ku, Yokohoma-Attorney-Flynn & Frishauf shi, Japan 221 Filed: on. 19, 1970 [57]ABSTRACT An automatic molding apparatus for producing ring-shaped [2]]Appl' 82057 doughnuts with one or more kinds of filling containedtherein in annular form, wherein uncooked dough and filling are 30]Foreign Application Priority Data separately stored in coaxiallyarranged hoppers, each of which I h l d h d ll h l as an m et opene at te upper en to a ow t e raw materia Oct. 22, 1969 Japan ..44/84053 to beeasily charged at a desired time under atmospheric p sure withoutstopping the apparatus; the dough is squeezed [2%] 8| "425/1132, out atpredetermined intervals from an annular opening d 'g 4 BA 14 E definedbetween two cylindrical outlet pipes; the filling such [e 1737/] D R,17/3540, 18/30 f as cream orjam is drawn out, also at predeterminedintervals, 25/8 l3 73/253 from an annular opening positioned within thehole of the preliminarily formed dough so as to be completely wrapped in56] References Cited the dough; the mixed mass being taken out of theapparatus to UNITED STATES PATENTS Miller ..l07/14 E be subjected tofrying or other means of cooking in the succeeding process.

11 Claims, 24 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAPR 4 I972 SHEET 1 UF 5 F IG. 4

PATENTEDAPR 41912 SHEET 2 [IF 5 FIG. 3

FIG. 5

FIG 4 FIG. 6

PAIEMTEUm 4m SHEET 3 BF 5 PATENTEDAPR 41912 SHEET 4 0F 5 H688 FIG.8C

FIG.8A

IG.8E

PATENTEDAPR 41272 SHEET 5 BF 5 FIG. 98

FIG. 9A

FIG. 90

FIG. 9C

FIG. 9E

AUTOMATIC MOLDING APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING RING-SHAPED DOUGIINUTSCONTAINING FILLINGS The present invention relates to an automaticmolding apparatus for adding desired kinds of filling such as bean-jam,cream, fruit jam or raw flesh or fish in paste form as the core materialof a ring-shaped doughnut.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic highlyefficient molding apparatus for producing ringshaped doughnutscontaining fillings which is capable of feeding dough and filling atdesired intervals during operation.

Another object of the invention is to provide an automatic doughnutmolding apparatus for adding desired kinds of filling properly anduniformly as the core material of a ring-shaped doughnut.

The automatic doughnut molding apparatus according to the invention isprovided with hoppers containing properly prepared dough and fillingseparately and capable of feeding them at a desired time. The hoppershave a raw material inlet opened to the air at the upper end so as toreceive the raw material under atmospheric pressure, the filling hopperbeing concentrically disposed in the dough hopper. At the center of avertical dough feed pipe communicating with the dough hopper is set afilling feed pipe communicating with the filling hopper. At severalplaces of a dough passage defined by the dough hopper and dough feedpipe is provided a spiral feed blade whose intermittent rotation causesthe dough received in the dough hopper to be delivered from an annularfeed part at the end of the dough feed pipe.

The end of the filling feed pipe is fitted with a flange at a prescribedclearance from the end of the dough feed pipe, thereby defining theaforesaid annular feed port for the dough between said flange and theend of the dough feed pipe. Said flange has the same outer diameter asthat of the dough feed 1 e. into the outer wall of the dough feed pipeis inserted a sleeve whose lower end forms a blade. The verticalmovement of the sleeve permits the opening and closure of the dough feedport and the cutting of the dough delivered.

. Below the dough feed port is formed an annular filling feed port bymeans of the flange. Said filling feed port may be fitted with a disc ata prescribed space from the flange, or constituted by a cylindricalvalve slidably fitted to a shaft fixed at the center of the filling feedpipe and elastically pressed against the flange by means of a spring.

The aforesaid disc of cylindrical valve has the same outer diameter asthat of the dough feed pipe. Upon vertical movement of the sleeve, thedisc serves for the opening and closure of the filling feed port and thecutting of the filling drawn out, whereas the cylindrical valve itselfmoves to this end. In either case, there is fitted into the filling feedpipe a piston provided with a one-way valve or stop valve which isclosed to force filling forward when the piston advances and is openedto allow for its passage when the piston retreats. Thus the filling isdelivered only at the forward movement of the piston.

The present invention comprises feeding filling in annular form to theinside of a cylindrical form of dough material delivered from theannular feed port so as to cause said filling to be wrapped in thedough. When filling is drawn out in annular form to the inside of thecylindrical dough material, then that part of the dough swells outward.The combination of two split molding bowls for receiving said swollenportion of the dough and the cylindrical valve or disc made of flexibleelastic material permits the molding of dough containing fillings as thecore material.

The split molding bowls can be opened and closed in such a manner thatwhen closed, they move vertically along the axis of the sleeve whilesurrounding its outside from both sides. Where the sleeve is surroundedby split molding bowls together assuming such a cross sectional form asleaves out a closed annular void space, then proper molding is effectedby filling said void space with additional dough after the bowls receiveswollen dough. Again where the sleeve is surrounded by split moldingbowls together assuming such a cross sectional form as leaves out anannular void space open at the lower end, then the sleeve is lowered tocut the dough and filling delivered and shut off supply after saidswollen dough is received in the split molding bowls. Next when themolding bowls are brought down, the dough attached to the elastic discdoes not come off even if the disc is curved downward under the weightof the dough, so that further fall of the molding bowls causes the lowerend portion of the cylindrical dough to be rolled inward and finallyrubbed with the outer edge of the elastic disc, thereby effecting themolding of a ring-shaped doughnut with a substantially circular crosssection.

Around the outer periphery of a cutter cylinder contacting the lowerperipheral edge of a cutter flange is formed a groove so as to cause thedough to be rolled inward. When a prescribed amount of filling issupplied in annular form from the inside of the cylindrical dough, thelower end of the cylindrical dough is still tightly fitted into thegroove formed' in the periphery of the bladed cylinder, and does notcome off, so that the descent of the sleeve permits filling to befavorably inserted into the cylindrical dough from its lower end.

Molding may also be conducted by removing said dough ring incorporatedwith filling when the sleeve is brought down to its lowest position. Inthis case, neither elastic disc nor split molding bowls are required.The bladed cylindermay assume not only the form used in the presentinvention, but also any other shape. Further, if necessary, there may befitted any other type of elastic disc.

The vertical movement of the sleeve, the reciprocation of a piston rodthe lifting, lowering, opening and closing of the split molding bowlsand the intermittent rotation of the spiral blade permit application ofthe known cam-link mechanism. All these movements can be carried out asdesired in proper time sequence. The apparatus of the present inventionis applicable in preparing confectionary doughnuts, yeast doughnuts orthose made of other material by properly adjusting the form of a spiralfeed blade provided in the hopper or dough passage and the speed of theintermittent or continuous rotation of said blade.

Where the apparatus of the invention is used in making confectionarydoughnuts, it is preferred that it be fitted above the side of a fryerso as to fry molded doughnuts with oil as soon as they are finished.Further, it is desired that the split molding bowls be made of Teflonand the elastic disc be formed of silicone rubber, that is, both membersbe prepared from heat resistant material. Where yeast doughnuts aremanufactured, the apparatus of the invention is preferably positionedabove a conveyor connected to the succeeding process.

For the apparatus of the invention, it is further preferred that therebe fitted to the lower end of a shaft disposed at the center of afilling feed pipe a cutter cylinder normally pressed against a cutterflange by a spring. This cutter cylinder is brought downward for a shorttime against the force of the spring due to the pressure applied tofilling when the piston provided in the filling feed pipe is operated,thereby fonning an annular outlet through which there is delivered aprescribed amount of filling. When the pressure applied on the fillingdecreases upon retreat of the piston, the cutter cylinder is broughtback to its original position by the force of the spring to cut thefilling delivered and close the outlet.

Since the cutting of delivered filling and the closure of its outlet areperformed by the cutter sleeve independently of the delivery of doughand the closure of its outlet, the dough ring is not cracked at thejoined part when fried with oil, because the same dough materals arejoined together.

The objects and characteristics of the present invention will be morefully understood from the following description taken with reference tothe appended drawings. Throughout the drawings, the same parts aredenoted by the same numerals.

FIG. 1 is a side view, partly in section, of an automatic doughnutmolding apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a bottom plan view of the same;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the same;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are fragmental cross sectional views of different spiralfeed blades disposed in the dough hopper and dough passage used in afirst embodiment of the invention;

a FIG. 6 illustrates the profiles of five cams used in said embodiment;

FIG. 7 represents the sequential steps of molding a doughnut accordingto said embodiment;

FIG. 8 indicates the sequential steps of molding a doughnut according toa second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 9 shows the sequential steps of molding a doughnut according to athird embodiment of the invention.

There will now be described by reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 an automaticdoughnut molding apparatus according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention. A dough hopper 10 has an inlet 10a opened at theupper part so as to receive dough at desired intervals. To the outsideof a dough feed pipe 12 communicating with the lower end of the doughhopper 10 is fitted a vertically slidable sleeve 30. The lower edge ofthe sleeve 30 forms a blade 31, and the upper periphery thereof isprovided with an annular groove 32. At the center of the dough feed pipe12 is positioned a filling feed pipe25, the gap between the two feedpipes constituting a dough passage 13. To the lower end of the fillingfeed pipe 25 is fixed a cutter flange 26 having the same outer diameteras that of the dough feed pipe I2 at a prescribed space from the lowerend of said pipe 12, thereby forming a dough outlet 14. At the center ofthe filling feed pipe 25 is positioned a support shaft 40, under whichthere is disposed a cutter cylinder 41a having the same outer diameteras that of the dough feed pipe 12, the vertical sliding of said cuttercylinder 41a providing a filling outlet 27. At the center of the doughhopper 10 is provided a filling hopper which has an inlet a opened atthe upper part so as to receive filling at desired intervals. The lowerend of the filling hopper 20 communicates with the filling feed pipe 25,into which there is fitted a piston 50. At the center of the piston 50is fixed a one-way valve 51 which is closed to force filling forwardwhen the piston advances and is opened to allow for the passage offilling upon retreat of the piston. There is provided a piston rod 52which vertically penetrates the filling feed pipe and filling hopper 20and projects to the outside at the upper part of said hopper 20. Theupper end of the piston rod 52 is engaged with one end of the laterdescribed lever A The spiral feed blade 5 is rotatably set in the doughpassage 13 so as to surround the filling feed pipe 25. This spiral feedblade S consists, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, of two spiral members S andS fixed to a blade fixing ring S in mutually facing relationship. Theblade fixing ring S is engaged with a gear S rotatably set at the jointof the dough hopper 10 and dough feed pipe 12 so as to rotate jointlywith said gear S The gear S, is engaged, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and3, with a pinion S fitted to a shaft 8,. This shaft S, is supported by abearing 8,, mounted on a stand in a manner to project downward, thelower end of said shaft 8, being supported by a bearing bracket S To theshaft 8, is rotatably fitted a worm gear S registering with a worm S Theworm gear S has clutch teeth formed on the end face of its boss and isdetachably engaged with a clutch S, key stopped on the shaft 5., so asto move in its axial direction. On the periphery of the clutch S isformed an annular groove with which there is engagedthe end of a forklever S formoving the clutch S This fork lever S permits the clutch S tomove vertically. The fork lever S has its inter mediate part pivoted toa bracket 8, by a pin S and is rotatably deflected by a tension spring8,, in such a direction as disengages the clutch S To the fork lever Sis fitted through a connection metal part S the end of the plunger S ofan electromagnet S electrically connected to a microswitch 100. When theplunger S is attracted to the electromagnet S by its excitation, thefork lever S is rotated against the force of the tension spring S toengage the clutch S, with the worm gear S The worm S engaged with theworm gear S is coupled, as shown in FIG. 2, with a speed changeablemotor 5,; and fitted to a drive shaft S supported by the bearing S Therotation of a motor 90 mountedon a stand is transmitted through a speedchange gear to a main shaft supported by bearings 81 and 81a by means ofbelt drive so as to rotate said main shaft 80. To the main shaft 80 arefitted through a clutch (not shown) five grooved cams 39, 59, 69, 79 and89 having different profiles illustrated in FIG. 6.

The cam 39 for the vertical movement of the sleeve 30 is engaged with aroller 36 disposed at the end of a lever 35 rotatably pivoted to thepivotal shaft 37 of a support metal part 38 mounted on a stand. To afork 34 formed at the other end of the lever 35 is fitted a roller 33 soas to be engaged with the groove 32 of the sleeve 30. The cam 59 for thereciprocation of the piston 50 is engaged with a roller 55 positioned atthe end of a lever 54 pivoted to the pivotal shaft 57 of a metal part 56mounted on a stand.

The aforementioned lever A, has its intermediate part pivoted by a pin Ato a support member A so as to rotate in a vertical direction. To oneend of said lever A is connected by a pin A a rod A pivoted to the endof the lever 54. The other end of said lever A, is connected to theupper end of the piston rod 52.

The cam 69 for the vertical movement of the split molding bowls 60 and60a is engaged with a roller 68 set at the end of a lever 67 assuming aflattened reversed L-shape (that is, a form) which is pivoted by apivotal shaft 71 to a metal part mounted on a stand. The forked portion66 at the other end of the lever 67 is engaged with a projection 65 atthe top of a box member 64. The box member 64 contains two small gears62 and 62a fitted to two guide shafts 63 and 63a respectively verticallymounted on a stand so as to move up and down for mutual engagement.

To the bosses of said two small gears 62 and 620 are fixed the arm rods61 and 61a of the split molding bowls. The cam 79 for the opening andclosing of the split molding bowls is engaged with a roller 78positioned at the end of a lever 77 having its intermediate part pivotedto a metal part 82 mounted on a stand.

To the other end of the lever 77 is pivoted by a pin 76 one end of aconnecting rod 75. The other end of this connecting rod 75 is connectedthrough a spherical node 74 to an arm rod 73 engaged with the boss ofone small gear 62 described above (FIG. 2).

The aforementioned cams 39, 59, 69, 79 and 89 and a series of leversinterlocking therewith enable the delivery of filling by reciprocationof the piston 50, the delivery of dough by the vertical movement of thesleeve 30, the cutting of the dough and filling delivered, the verticalsliding of the split molding bowls 60 and 60a along the axis of thesleeve, the opening and closing of said split molding bowls whilesurrounding the outside of the sleeve and the intermittent rotation ofthe spiral feed blade; all these to be repeatedly performed in a desiredtime sequence under a well controlled condition due to the suitableprofiles assumed by said cams. It will be apparent that to avoid theintrusion of dirt and dust, the inlets 10a and 20a opened at the upperpart of the dough hopper l0 and filling hopper 20 may be provided with asuitable covering or cap.

In operation, there are charged properly prepared dough and filling intothe respective hoppers l0 and 20 through the inlets 10a and 20a. Themotor 90 is rotated to drive the main shaft 80. The motor S for thespiral feed means is rotated to drive the worm S and in turn the wormgear S First, there is drawn out dough from the outlet 14 by the spiralfeed blade S. There will now be described a procedure of stopping thedelivery of dough. When the microswitch is operated (i.e., turned on) bythe action of the cam 89 through the rotation of the main shaft 80, theelectromagnet S is excited to attract the clutch lever S against theforce of the tension spring S thereby causing the clutch S to be engagedwith the clutch teeth of the worm gear S Accordingly, the shaft 8, andworm gear S are interlocked with each other to rotate the pinion 5,.Further, the spiral feed blade S rotates through the gear 8;, to causethe dough received in the dough hopper 10 to be delivered only when thedough outlet 14 at the bottom of said hopper 10 is opened due to therise of the sleeve 30. When the sleeve 30 falls to close said outlet 14,the microswitch 100 is turned off by the rotation of the cam 89 and inconsequence the electromagnet S is deenergized to set free the plunger SAs the result the clutch lever S is brought back to its originalposition by the force of the tension spring S and the clutch S isdetached from the clutch teeth of the rotating worm S thereby to stopthe rotation of the shaft 8,, pinion S and in consequence the spiralfeed blade S with the eventual cease of the delivery of dough receivedin the dough hopper l0. Namely, the vertical movement of the sleeve andin consequence the intermittent rotation of the spiral feed blade Spermit the delivery of dough to be started or stopped in timedrelationship with the opening or closure of the dough outlet S However,depending on the quality of dough received in the dough hopper l0 andthe timing speed of the vertical movement of the cutter sleeve 30, it ispossible to keep the electromagnet S excited without deenergizing it bythe cam 89 and leave the plunger S actuated or keep the spiral feedblade S continuously rotated by other means.

There will now be described the process of preparing doughnutscontaining fillings. Referring to FIG. 7, initially the sleeve 30 standsat its lowest position, closing the dough outlet 14. The split moldingbowls 60 and 60a begin to rise in an open state (FIG. 7a). Next thesleeve 30 also starts rising with the resulting rotation of the spiralfeed blade S to cause the dough to be drawn out from the outlet 14 (FIG.7b). On the other hand, the cutter cylinder 41a is pressed against theend of the support shaft by the spring 44 so as to move vertically. Theupper edge 43 of said cutter cylinder 41a tightly contacts the backperipheral edge of the conical cutter flange 26. Accordingly, thedelivery of filling is effected by forcing down the cutter cylinder 41aunder the pressure applied to the filling upon operation of the piston50 against the force of the spring 44 (FIG. 70). The cutting ofthefilling delivered and the closing of the filling outlet are carried outby the retreat of the piston after delivery and the return of the cuttercylinder 41a to its original position by the force of the spring 44(FIG. 7d). The closed split molding bowls 60 and 60a are made to riseagain up to the dough outlet (FIG. 7e). Then the split molding bowls areslowly brought down so as to cause the dough to be drawn out to theinside of the dough ring (FIG. 7}). The sleeve 30 is also made to falland the spiral feed blade is stopped to cut the outflow of dough. Afterbeing further lowered to a prescribed position (FIG. 7g), the splitmolding bowls 60 and 6011 are opened to take out a doughnut containingfillings. Thereafter the split molding bowls 60 and 60a are lifted again(FIG. 7a) with the resulting repetition of the aforementioned operationsteps to form a continuous run.

The second embodiment of FIG. 8 uses an elastic disc 45 in molding adoughnut. There will now be described the operation of the secondembodiment. Initially, the sleeve 30 stands at its lowest position andthe outlets of dough and filling are closed. The split molding bowls 60and 60a begin to rise (FIG. 8a). With the rotation of the spiral feedblade S, the dough is drawn out and the lower end of the cylindricaldough is attached to the elastic disc 45 (FIG. 8b). The split moldingbowls 60 and 60a which have already been lifted are closed. At thistime, the pin is actuated for the delivery of filling, and the splitmolding bowls and 60a receive dough swollen with filling (FIG. 8c). Thesleeve 30 is brought down to cut the dough and filling delivered andclose their outlets. The spiral feed blade S stops in timed relationshipwith the fall of the sleeve 30 (FIG. 8d). The split molding bowls arebrought down in a closed state, thereby causing the lower end of thecylindrical dough received at the elastic disc 45 to be rolled inward(FIG. 82). Further fall of the split molding bowls causes the inside ofthe dough ring to be rubbed with the outer edge of the elastic disc andfilling to be distributed properly and uniformly throughout as the coreof the dough (FIG. 8]). When brought to the lowest position, the splitmolding bowls 60 and 60a are opened to take out a dough ring. Inpractice the aforementioned operation is repeated.

In the third embodiment of FIG. 9, a cutter cylinder 42 provided with agroove is fitted to the end of the support shaft 40 so as to movevertically along the peripheral surface against which said cylinder 42is pressed by the spring 44. This cutter cylinder 42 performs the sameoperation as in the embodiment of FIG. 7.

The third embodiment has the most simplified construction eliminatingthe elastic disc and split molding bowls 60 and 60a used in thepreceding embodiments. There will now be described the operation of thethird embodiment. The sleeve 30 rises from a position shown in FIG. 9a,causing dough to be drawn out along the grooved surface of the cuttercylinder 42 (FIG. 9b), followed by the delivery of filling (FIG. 9c).After delivery of filling, the cutter cylinder 42 is brought back to itsoriginal position to cut the filling drawn out and shut the fillingoutlet (FIG. 9d). The dough ring thus formed on the cutter cylinder 42is removed by the sleeve which is brought down at this time (FIG. 9e).

What we claim is:

1. An automatic molding apparatus for producing ringshaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationships,wherein said means to force said filling includes a reciprocating pistonfitted in said filling outlet pipe and wherein said piston is providedwith a one-way valve which closes on its withdrawal to pass saidfilling.

2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mechanism includes amotor driving a shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft, rollersfollowing said cams, and links connected to said rollers and alsoconnected to said piston and said sleeve.

3. An automatic molding apparatus for producing ringshaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationships andalso including a plurality of molding bowls which close to form a ringmold and V which surround the outside of the sleeve from both sides, and

means to elevate and lower and open and close said bowls.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the means for elevating andlowering and opening and closing said bowls is a cam and link mechanismwhich operates at predetermined times.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said molding bowls havesuch cross-sections as will form a closed annular space when theysurround the sleeve from both sides.

6. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said molding bowls havecross-sections which form an annular space opened on the lower endsurface when they surround the sleeve from both sides.

7. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cutting flange is inthe form of a flat plate, said means for forming a filling delivery portis a cutting blade disk secured with a fixed clearance from the cuttingblade flange to the lower end of a supporting shaft provided in thecenter of the filling outlet pipe and said molding bowls surround theoutside of the sleeve from both sides and can be elevated and loweredand opened and closed, and a mechanism for elevating and lowering andopening and closing said molding bowls in a timed relation withreciprocating said piston.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said molding bowls havesuch cross-sections as will form a closed annular space when theysurround the sleeve from both sides.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said molding bowls havesuch cross-sections as will form an annular space opened on the lowerend surface when they surround the sleeve from both sides and havev anelastic disk of such size as will receive the lower end portion of theoutflow dough material with a proper clearance from and below saidcutting blade cylinder.

10. An automatic molding apparatus for producing ringshaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationshipswherein there are provided a plurality of hoppers for fillings, aplurality of separated filling outlets together forming an annularoutlet, and a means for conveying said fillings from said hoppers to thefilling outlets without mixing the fillings with each other.

11. An automatic molding apparatus for producing ringshaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationship,wherein said cutting flange is in the form of a flat plate and saidmeans for forming a filling delivery port is a cutting blade cylinderwhich is fitted to the lower end of a supporting shaft provided in thecenter of the filling outlet pipe and wherein an elastic disk is fixedto the said supporting shaft below the said cutting blade cylinder.

1. An automatic molding apparatus for producing ring-shaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationships,wherein said means to force said filling includes a reciprocating pistonfitted in said filling outlet pipe and wherein said piston is providedwith a one-way valve which closes on its withdrawal to pass saidfilling.
 2. An apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said mechanismincludes a motor driving a shaft, a plurality of cams on said shaft,rollers following said cams, and links connected to said rollers andalso connected to said piston and said sleeve.
 3. An automatic moldingapparatus for producing ring-shaped doughnuts containing fillings,comprising a dough hopper and a filling hopper coaxially arranged insaid dough hopper, each of which has an inlet opened to the air at theupper end so as to receive dough and filling under atmospheric pressureat a desired time, a dough outlet pipe vertically disposed and connectedwith said dough hopper, a filling outlet pipe coaxially positioned insaid dough outlet pipe and connected with said filling hopper, a spiralfeed blade for forcing dough down the dough outlet pipe, means to forcesaid filling down said filling outlet pipe, a cutting flange having thesame outside diameter as of said material outlet pipe and fixed to oneend of said filling outlet pipe so as to form an annular materialoutflow port between it and said material outlet pipe, a delivery meansconnected with said filling pipe and having the same outside diameter assaid material outlet pipe for forming an annular filling delivery portbelow said cutting flange, a sleeve fitted to be sLidable up and down onthe outer peripheral surface of said material outlet pipe and having ablade edge at its lower tip edge, and a mechanism for controlling saidfilling force means and elevating and lowering said sleeve in desiredtimed relationships and also including a plurality of molding bowlswhich close to form a ring mold and which surround the outside of thesleeve from both sides, and means to elevate and lower and open andclose said bowls.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein the meansfor elevating and lowering and opening and closing said bowls is a camand link mechanism which operates at predetermined times.
 5. Anapparatus according to claim 3 wherein said molding bowls have suchcross-sections as will form a closed annular space when they surroundthe sleeve from both sides.
 6. An apparatus according to claim 3 whereinsaid molding bowls have cross-sections which form an annular spaceopened on the lower end surface when they surround the sleeve from bothsides.
 7. An apparatus according to claim 3 wherein said cutting flangeis in the form of a flat plate, said means for forming a fillingdelivery port is a cutting blade disk secured with a fixed clearancefrom the cutting blade flange to the lower end of a supporting shaftprovided in the center of the filling outlet pipe and said molding bowlssurround the outside of the sleeve from both sides and can be elevatedand lowered and opened and closed, and a mechanism for elevating andlowering and opening and closing said molding bowls in a timed relationwith reciprocating said piston.
 8. An apparatus according to claim 7wherein said molding bowls have such cross-sections as will form aclosed annular space when they surround the sleeve from both sides. 9.An apparatus according to claim 7 wherein said molding bowls have suchcross-sections as will form an annular space opened on the lower endsurface when they surround the sleeve from both sides and have anelastic disk of such size as will receive the lower end portion of theoutflow dough material with a proper clearance from and below saidcutting blade cylinder.
 10. An automatic molding apparatus for producingring-shaped doughnuts containing fillings, comprising a dough hopper anda filling hopper coaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of whichhas an inlet opened to the air at the upper end so as to receive doughand filling under atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outletpipe vertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationshipswherein there are provided a plurality of hoppers for fillings, aplurality of separated filling outlets together forming an annularoutlet, and a means for conveying said fillings from said hoppers to thefilling outlets without mixing the fillings with each other.
 11. Anautomatic molding apparatus for producing ring-shaped doughnutscontaining fillings, comprising a dough hopper and a filling hoppercoaxially arranged in said dough hopper, each of which has an inletopened to the air at the upper end so as to receive dough and fillingunder atmospheric pressure at a desired time, a dough outlet pipevertically disposed and connected with said dough hopper, a fillingoutlet pipe coaxially positioned in said dough outlet pipe and connectedwith said filling hopper, a spiral feed blade for forcing dough down thedough outlet pipe, means to force said filling down said filling outletpipe, a cutting flange having the same outside diameter as of saidmaterial outlet pipe and fixed to one end of said filling outlet pipe soas to form an annular material outflow port between it and said materialoutlet pipe, a delivery means connected with said filling pipe andhaving the same outside diameter as said material outlet pipe forforming an annular filling delivery port below said cutting flange, asleeve fitted to be slidable up and down on the outer peripheral surfaceof said material outlet pipe and having a blade edge at its lower tipedge, and a mechanism for controlling said filling force means andelevating and lowering said sleeve in desired timed relationship,wherein said cutting flange is in the form of a flat plate and saidmeans for forming a filling delivery port is a cutting blade cylinderwhich is fitted to the lower end of a supporting shaft provided in thecenter of the filling outlet pipe and wherein an elastic disk is fixedto the said supporting shaft below the said cutting blade cylinder.